A man in Phoenix, Arizona is currently facing 60 days in jail or more, and is required to pay fines totaling over $12 thousand dollars for holding bible study classes at his home.
The city is claiming that it is against the law to hold bible meetings because it is against the zoning and permit codes, and could cause a risk to the public. I would say that this is a shakedown by the city, but I think more is involved.
In the recent past, Michael Salman and his family were raided by a dozen armed police officers, they were held in one room of their home, and their house was searched. All this was due to having some people over to discuss the bible. Had they been watching a football game, all would have been okay. (So long as they didn’t charge for any food or drink, or for the use of their equipment)
At this point, Salman is slated to “serve” 60 days in prison, but the assistant city prosecutor (a position normally filled with liars and cheats) is attempting to have Salman jailed for the full 2 1/2 years by having the judge revoke his probation because he continues to have friends come over to his home to study.
Many may have little sympathy for the Salman family because they are not following the state rules, but all should see the very slippery slope that is evident in this harassment by Phoenix politicians. Imprisoning people for having meetings in their homes can lead to all sorts of state abuses, and not just to Christians, but to any who decide to gather. Where can this lead other than to total tyranny?
I have never accepted that political types should have any control over what people do on their own property, so long as they are not harming or infringing on the liberties of others. Should that be the case, then recourse through either criminal or civil courts is available to satisfy any complaint. That is the way it should be.
So long as people continue to allow those who hold political offices to rule over them in most all matters, big or small, then the abuses will continue to escalate, and more and more rules will be forthcoming. There is no reason to accept this type of control by state officials at any level, but certainly not in the case of simply gathering with friends or family in your own home. It is time to stop this madness!